Articles
Are You Ready To Die?
Death is something that most of us do not want to think about, let alone talk about. However, death is something that each of us should give very serious thought to.
The Bible teaches that death is CERTAIN for each of us. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). It doesn't matter how rich you are, death is "appointed" for each of us.
Death is defined by James "as the body without the spirit" (James 2:26). Death is therefore a SEPARATION of the spirit (soul) from the body (flesh).
To the faithful Christian, death is a VICTORY over the suffering, pain and trials of this life. "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:54-57). The apostle John said "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
The apostle Paul says that death is GAIN, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). He also refers to death as something that is BETTER, "But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better" (Philippians 1:22-23).
John refers to death as a BLESSING‚ "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Revelation 14:13).
However, to the sinner (one outside of Christ or one that has fallen away from Christ) death is DOOM. Paul said "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Paul again says that those that die without Christ are WITHOUT HOPE‚ "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope" (I Thessalonians 4:13).
"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 7:24-8:1). Friend, are you ready to die?
